STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) – The new director of the Central Shenandoah Health District presented the 2023 annual report at the Staunton City Council work session.

The report covered several public health topics, including environmental health, emergency response and disease numbers. Health director Dr. Allison Bacaro presented information on several matters, including immunizations.

In 2023, over 4,000 total patients received immunizations, and over half of those patients were pediatric. The report covered other clinical services, like STI testing, which saw a total of 417 patients.

At the work session, Dr. Baraco specifically emphasized CHSDS’s emergency response report, especially in relation to the fentanyl crisis. In 2023, over 960 people were trained in opioid response. 890 doses of naloxone and 337 fentanyl test strips were distributed.

”It’s such a valuable service. The one thing I learned at a recent meeting is that we need our community to know that we have professionals and we have confidential services,” said Dr. Baraco. “There are people who are reluctant to seek us out to receive these services.”

Dr. Baraco expects to see the number of fentanyl test strips distributed to increase in 2024.

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